Thursday, September 05, 2013

You either like them, or you hate them... onions. Such a pungent smell and taste that there is really no in-between. If you've ever chopped a good one, or even been nearby while someone else was doing the chopping, you've felt your eyes sting and your nose start running.A friend once made the analogy that a Christian's sanctification process is a lot like an onion. And the more I've unpacked that in my head, the more I think, though incomplete, it's a solid analogy. She made the point that the "real" us is on the inside- created as good in the image of God, every human being has value and potential. When we become a Christian, God starts the process of peeling us to get there. Sometimes it's a smelly and tear-filled process. Sometimes it's unbearable and difficult. Often, we peel back one layer and start to feel good about it, only to realize there are more layers underneath to be explored and set out before the Lord. The end goal for both is something comparable to a tasty and flavorful dish with a pleasing aroma.Ezekiel 20:41

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Not About Me. When I lose sight of that fact that it is not about me... I get all caught up in insecurity or pride. Why? Because I start to believe that I somehow have dibs on what doesn't actually belong to me. I act like my worth is found in my body, my personality, or my resources. But to what end? My personal glory! When any of this is shaken or taken away, I'm devastated or discouraged, left insecure and lonely.My body is not mine. My personality is not mine. My resources are not mine. They belong to the church, which belongs to Christ.

Sunday, September 01, 2013

Trapped and stuck."I hate it here. I just want to be 18 so I can be an adult and leave this place."You might guess that being rescued from human trafficking and brought into a "safe home" would denote feelings of gratefulness and freedom. Instead, she feels trapped and stuck. But before you judge her for this, think about it.All she's ever known is captivity. All she's experienced is oppressive control. While you were learning as a young child that some authority has your best interest at heart, her experiences say otherwise. Those she trusted manipulated her and lied to her over and over again. There's been no one she can trust, so how could I expect her to trust me? How could I expect her to easily trust God? No. This is a process that is much longer and harder than 18 months. This is a process that I cannot do in her heart. This heart's lessons can only be unlearned through the unconditional, faithful, and sacrificial love of Christ... a love she's never known in physical form. But the slavery wasn't just physical. Slavery never is. Which is why being rescued from a brothel doesn't mean the slavery ended. She is still trapped and stuck in a web of lies from the author of lies.She's not free yet. Pray with me that she would be.